Episode 24: From Secret Beginnings to Award-Winning Pubs with David Hage

🎙️ Kith & Kin Podcast: Stories from the Hospitality Industry Host: Cassie DavisonGuest: David Hage, Co-Founder of the Secret Pub Company In this episode, Cassie is joined by David Hage, one half of the dynamic duo behind the award-winning Secret Pub Company. David shares his 30-year journey through the hospitality industry, from his early days in health clubs and working for giants like David Lloyd and Nando's to co-founding a successful group of four premium gastro pubs across Nottinghamshire. David’s story highlights the balance between big business discipline and independent creativity, revealing the hard work, tough decisions, and passion it takes to succeed in the ever-challenging hospitality industry. 🏆 From winning Licensee of the Year 2019 to navigating the turbulence of COVID-19, David discusses the highs and lows of running pubs, the importance of a great team, and his exciting plans for the future, including accommodation and diverse events. The Early Days: How David transitioned from health clubs into hospitality. The Secret Pub Company: Why it’s called “secret” and how it all began. Award-Winning Success: Winning Licensee of the Year 2019 and the grueling process behind it. Surviving COVID-19: The challenges of running pubs through the pandemic and beyond. The Reality of Hospitality: Rising costs, staff retention, and the continued pressures on pubs. Future Vision: Plans for events, weddings, and introducing B&B-style accommodation. Visit David and the team at their four award-winning Nottinghamshire pubs: The Railway – Loudham The Radcliffe – Radcliffe-on-Trent The Plough – Normanton on the Wolds The Lambley – Lambley 🔎 Find out more: Search for the Secret Pub Company on Google or visit their locations for a fantastic experience. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hage-fbii-64b8552a/ Website: https://railwaylowdham.co.uk/ 🎧 Listen to the Full EpisodeImmerse yourself in David’s inspiring journey and discover what it really takes to create successful, customer-focused pubs. 📢 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network. More from the Kith & Kin Podcast:📍 Real stories from hospitality professionals🎯 Insights, challenges, and opportunities in the industry💡 Tips to thrive in hospitality 🎥 Visit Cassie’s YouTube Channel for more 👉 [Insert Link] 📝 Want to grow your hospitality business?Check out Cassie’s Hospitality Made Easy Masterclass for strategies to connect with purpose, engage your team, and increase your profits.